Lisa Armitage

Business

Lisa Armitage brings over two decades of leadership experience in sales, marketing, and operations across franchise, consulting, and entrepreneurial environments. She is currently a multi-unit franchisee of Goldfish Swim School, owning and operating multiple locations, and has spent more than twelve years working within franchise systems as both an owner and operator.

Previously, Lisa served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the largest franchisee group within the Goldfish Swim School system, where she worked across eight markets and more than twenty-three locations. In that role, she partnered closely with leadership teams and operators to drive growth, open new locations, improve performance, and translate strategy into execution at the local level.

Lisa is the founder of Armitage Consulting Group, where she works with small businesses and franchise owners on sales strategy, marketing effectiveness, and operational clarity. She holds an MBA and brings a practical, experience-driven perspective shaped by years of leading teams, launching new locations, and making real-time decisions in fast-paced environments.

Lisa is particularly passionate about supporting small businesses, community organizations, and mission-driven teams, and is actively involved in local community and volunteer initiatives. She enjoys working with students and emerging professionals to help them understand how real-world organizations operate, and how strong communication, sound judgment, and thoughtful execution contribute to success.

Daniel Alejandro Baca

MarComm

Daniel Alejandro Baca is a Senior Paid Media Strategist with a degree in Marketing and New Media from the Rochester Institute of Technology. With 9 years of experience in the field, Daniel specializes in omni-channel marketing strategy and data-driven paid media strategy. His career includes notable work with companies like Abercrombie & Fitch and Upwork. Daniel is passionate about achieving results-driven efficiency across media programs, budget optimization, and streamlining processes. In his free time, he enjoys following Formula 1, soccer, and tennis.

Scott Bailey

MarComm

Scott Bailey is the Director of National Sales at Playfly Sports, where he manages the college and high school sports division. In this role, he works with more than 30 collegiate athletic properties, including Auburn, LSU, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, and Texas A&M, as well as more than 20 high school state athletic associations across the country. A highly accomplished revenue generator with more than 35 years of experience in the sports industry, Scott has built his career in ticket sales, sponsorship development, and partnership strategy. Throughout his career, he has held sales and partnership roles with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), the Big Ten Conference, and the Mid-American Conference. Scott brings real-world industry insights into the classroom, helping students understand the evolving landscape of sports business and careers in the industry.

Jeremy Banta

Logistics

Jeremy Banta is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 30 years of experience in civilian and military logistics. He is a Professor of Supply Chain Management at Columbus State and co-founder of the Ohio Supply Chain Academic Network. He serves on multiple school and organizational boards, as well as being a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. His 20-year military career includes 15 years of full-time service in the Ohio National Guard and deployments to Iraq and Kuwait.

Joanie Bauman

Business

Joanie Bauman, a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner, serves as the Director of Project and Portfolio Management at Denison University. She brings a wealth of real-world and teaching experience from both corporate and academic environments, including serving as an adjunct professor in the MBA and undergraduate programs at a local university. Joanie’s professional background spans the healthcare, insurance, and banking industries, where she has managed complex projects and driven organizational change. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA, Joanie is passionate about integrating strategic execution with practical tools to foster innovation and successful change.

Lauren Burke-McCarthy

AI

Lauren Burke-McCarthy is a Senior AI Strategy Lead at Further, where she guides organizations in the strategic enablement, implementation, and risk management of responsible AI solutions. Previously a Data Scientist at CoverMyMeds, Lauren built models and systems to better understand user needs, enhance products, and uncover opportunities. She began her data science career in the retail space, developing solutions across several areas, including supply chain, inventory management, and enterprise business.

As Head of Community at Women in Analytics, a global community that promotes visibility to women making an impact in the analytics space, her primary focus lies in strategy and community growth. She hosts the WIA After Hours podcast and is an Instructor of Analytics Strategy in Business at Denison University’s Denison Edge.

Lauren is a Core Advisor on the Midwest Big Data Hub’s Community Advisory Panel, a member of TECH CORPS’ Regional Steering Committee, Chair of COSI’s KINETIC Board, and a founding member of scikit-learn’s Communication Team. She is a certified IAPP AIGP and the recipient of the inaugural Ohio Trailblazers Award, celebrating women transforming Ohio tech.

Jenny Camper

MarComm

Jenny Camper, co-owner of Lesic & Camper Communications, has more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications. Prior to agency work, Camper was communications manager for former Gov. George V. Voinovich and former State Treasurer J. Kenneth Blackwell. Camper earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University.

Neil Collins

MarComm

Neil’s passion for education and career development drew him to Denison Edge, first as the lead Marketing & Brand Strategy instructor, and now the lead of business development for Denison Edge. Among other things, Neil is the President and Founder of Results Marketing Group. Previously Neil has served in marketing leadership roles for national consumer brands like Aquafresh, Renu, and Classico Italian foods. He later served as CEO for an accredited career education business and CMO for a major independent supplier of energy to millions of customers, both households and businesses. Currently, Neil serves as a Leader at Innovate New Albany, a business incubator and a hub for innovators and entrepreneurs who are serious about building businesses that are both valuable and sustainable.

Michael Compton

Business

Michael Compton is a multi-talented expert in Service Design and CX Strategy who facilitates the development of new services and customer experiences in different cultures, sectors and categories, within cross-functional teams and production pipelines of different sizes. As an entrepreneur, Michael has launched 4 different successful start-ups, 3 of them achieving annual multiple $MM revenues, while raising $10MM in venture capital. As an organization builder, Michael has navigated the change from lean startups to structured management teams, as well as helping technical service firms become strategic consultancies. Among Michael’s previous roles, he served as Innovative Media Domain Expert for Amazon Web Services and Assistant Professor, Master of User Experience Design Graduate Program at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Louann Cummings

Finance

Louann Cummings, Emeritus Professor at the University of Findlay and former Fulbright Scholar and Specialist. She was recently awarded the distinction of Emeritus professor. Louann received her BA in economics from Denison University, an MBA from the University of Toledo, and a Doctor of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University and is a licensed CPA.  She also worked for Root Learning, Inc. developing learning map technologies for companies such as Harley-Davidson, ATT Wireless, Motorola, UPS, and Whirlpool. Her passion is helping students and colleagues, regardless of their course of study, become exceptional global leaders who truly make a difference.

Allison Ditmer

MarComm

Allison Ditmer has her BSBA in Marketing and MBA from Bowling Green State University. She spent 15 years at Abbott before deciding to utilize her digital marketing background and pursue building her content and freelance writing business. When she’s not helping organizations build their brands online with strategic content, she’s with her family traveling to national parks and spending time with her two kids.

Shirley Ellis

Business

Shirley Ellis is the Founder and CEO of Intentional Impact LLC and a leadership development strategist who helps leaders move from hesitation to strategic execution. With over a decade of corporate experience as a Principal Project Manager, she led cross-functional teams, partnered with senior stakeholders, and drove enterprise initiatives in complex, regulated environments. Through her company, Shirley equips leaders from mid-level professionals to C-suite executives with performance-driven frameworks that increase decision velocity, strengthen executive presence, and elevate influence. Through keynote speaking, executive coaching, and professional development workshops, she partners with organizations to help leaders navigate change, lead with clarity, and drive stronger business results.

Sheyla Finkelshteyn

AI

Sheyla Finkelshteyn is an AI education specialist and PhD researcher in Organizational Communication who supports universities and organizations in implementing AI thoughtfully and effectively. Her work centers on building AI fluency across roles—faculty, staff, and even students—through hands-on training that bridges technical possibilities with communication, ethics, and institutional context. She brings expertise in qualitative research, learning design, and inclusive communication to help participants develop confidence, craft strong prompts, and apply AI to real tasks while understanding limitations, bias, and responsible use.

Ally Golden

MarComm

Ally Golden is a marketing leader with over a decade of experience driving revenue growth through global, integrated marketing strategies and high-impact brand partnerships across the finance, retail, entertainment, and tech industries. Throughout her career, she has partnered with well-known brands including Madewell, Upwork, TIDAL, and more. As co-host of Marketing Happy Hour, Ally brings her real-world experience to the mic—helping listeners navigate career-defining shifts, build their confidence, and level up professionally. Off the clock, you’ll find Ally traveling, thrifting, catching a Pilates class, or spending time with friends and family in sunny Orlando, Florida.

Megan Hill

MarComm

Megan Hill is a highly motivated leader with nearly 20 years of experience in brand marketing, corporate communications, public relations, crisis management, executive communications and employee engagement. Megan has a proven history in driving accelerated global growth for multibillion dollar organizations, with expertise in international expansion and new market entry. Currently, Megan is the Director, U.S. Communications for The Wendy’s Company, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. She was recently promoted to oversee external and internal communications strategies for the brand, with a focus on Marketing, Operations and Development. She is the Communications business partner to Wendy’s U.S. President and Chief Marketing Officer, and is a member of the U.S. Marketing Leadership Team.

Prior to this role, Megan supported Wendy’s International business since joining the brand in February 2020. She led Corporate Communications and Public Relations strategies that contributed to significant milestones for the brand. Throughout her career, Megan has represented high profile brands across a diverse range of sectors, including CPG, healthcare, QSR and financial services. She thrives in fast-paced environments and navigates complex organizational structures, with experience working in Fortune 500 companies, advertising agencies, and a tech start-up.

Steve Krak

AI

With a full career in engineering and eight years in educational consulting, Steve’s professional background has centered on facilitating dialogue around creative problem-solving. Steve is currently the Red Frame Lab Director at Denison University where he is responsible for the continued development of Red Frame Lab, leading workshops, facilitating design studios, and mentoring students. He began his career at Battelle, the world’s largest independent R&D organization right in our own back yard, as an intern while an engineering student at The Ohio State University, and he remained at Battelle for 25 years. He was a lab rat in photonics and microfabrication, a program & people manager, an international business developer, and an intellectual property manager. Every project exposed him to experts in other disciplines including immunology, systems engineering, quantum computing, test & measurement, string theory, materials, coding, the environment, and many more. Steve spent four years as the founding Program Manager of the Ohio STEM Learning Network, a design-centered statewide education initiative in partnership with numerous public and private partners.

Varsey Laurelle

AI

Varsey Laurelle is the Chief Change Officer and Shift Coach at Varsey Laurelle Consulting, where she helps organizations gain clarity, align people and processes, and activate strategic change. Her work centers on leadership development, culture, and guiding teams from strategy to execution. She holds a BA in Mass Communications and Marketing from Wright State University and an MBA from Ashland University, where she developed a strong interest in business psychology and human dynamics. Varsey designs and facilitates workshops on self-leadership, trust, clarity during transitions, cultural architecture, and the role of AI in organizations.

Varsey is a graduate of the Leadership Columbus Signature Class of 2023 and serves on the Board of Directors for Freedom a la Cart, a Columbus-based social enterprise supporting survivors of sex trafficking. Known for her authenticity, energy, and listening skills, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work with leaders and teams.

Nha Le

AI

Nha is a Denison alum and an analyst at FedEx with a background in marketing and digital strategy. Since 2023, she has been using generative AI tools at work and out of work for many things – even switching careers. Based in Vietnam, she brings a global perspective to understanding AI and its role in the workplace. Nha is passionate about helping students develop practical, career-ready AI skills with a human approach.

Colin Page McGinnis

Business

Colin Page McGinnis, CReC, is a strategist and operator who thinks in systems and relationships at the same time—a combination that centers people in the
process, and gets to outcomes faster for it. At OH.io, he serves as connective tissue across leadership, revenue, operations, and external partners, bringing a behavioral and learning sciences lens to the problems most organizations treat as purely structural. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for Social Impact, he has operated inside high-pressure environments where growth, talent, and execution collide. Colin holds a B.S. from The Ohio State University and an M.A. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He is a Certified Resilience Coach.

Maileah McMullen

MarComm

Maileah McMullen is an enthusiastic, marketing professional and leader. Her background in Anthropology/Sociology and Communication has shaped her early career, dedicating her time and expertise to developing marketing strategies and campaigns that break barriers for clients, impact culture, and build relationships with communities. With her expertise in uncovering data to build brands and businesses, she now runs her own agency, Reverence Talent Management, a relationship driven agency dedicated to growing Gen Z & Millennial creators’ brands and business opportunities by filling the gap between creators and the marketing agencies.

Alan Miller

MarComm

Alan Miller teaches journalism at Denison University. He served as executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch and regional editor for USA Today Network Ohio’s 21 newsrooms from 2015-2022. He started at The Dispatch as a reporter in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become managing editor in 2004 and editor in 2015. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Ohio University.

Kerri Mollard

Business

Kerri is the CEO of Mollard Consulting. She is a respected authority on nonprofit board governance, planning, and fundraising, and has served more than 170 clients since 2003 and thousands more through workshops. She has a BA from Ohio State, an MA from Indiana University, and a Nonprofit Board Consulting Certificate from BoardSource. In 2023, Kerri was recognized as an Outstanding Professional Fundraiser at the National Philanthropy Day, honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Columbus Chapter.

Annie Morris

MarComm

Annie Morris has built her career around visual storytelling and brand-driven creative strategy. She is currently the Creative Manager at Friday Night PR, where she leads the development of marketing collateral and campaigns for a wide range of B2B and B2C clients—ensuring every touchpoint aligns with each brand’s unique identity. Annie graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a minor in Business Administration. Her career path has spanned multiple industries. She began her career at Victoria’s Secret supporting off model photography before being a digital designer for a TV show (and YouTube channel) on Animal Planet. She went on to design digital experiences for Lane Bryant, and later served as Marketing Manager at EASE Logistics. Across every role, Annie has remained passionate about blending thoughtful design with results-driven marketing.

Molly Queen

MarComm

Molly Queen is President and Founder of Monarch Consulting as a boutique consulting firm in the digital marketing space. Clients range from startups to multinational companies. Prior to that, Molly was in an executive role at Abbott where she led the inhouse agency. In that role she led creative services, digital strategy, UX, social media, e-commerce and marketing systems. During her tenure, she and her team built the inhouse agency from a small production shop to a 145 person, full-service agency that scaled to support strategic planning, brand campaigns and product launches.

Charles Richmond

Analytics

Charles works at Book+Street as the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis. He supports clients with numerous projects including cash flow forecasts, cap tables, financial models, systems integrations, commission trackers and deal pipelines. His job is two-fold as he also supports the internal team with operational systems and KPI reporting. In his role, Charles has also taken on the responsibility of mentoring and managing our analysts and interns. He finds immense satisfaction in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications. Prior to joining Book+Street, he was a Financial Planning and Analysis Intern at Libbey Glass where he was responsible for reporting on financial actuals each month, identifying low-margin SKUs in order to make the projection process more efficient and streamlined, and maintaining and rolling over projections month-to-month. Charles earned a BS in Finance from the Ohio State University. When he’s not working, Charles loves going to the movie’s with his fiancee, playing video games, and hanging out with his two cats.

Tom Richner

MarComm

Thomas E. Richner is an accomplished animator, storyboard artist, and assistant director, best known for his extensive work on The Simpsons. Throughout his career, he has contributed to various animated projects including series pilots, commercials, Bless the Harts and The Simpsons Game. In addition to his animation work, Richner served as an Associate Professor of Animation at the Columbus College of Art and Design from 2004 to 2017, specializing in traditional hand-drawn animation and teaching courses in animation, storyboarding, and film design. Beyond his teaching and animation roles, Richner co-founded Cap City Studios in Columbus, Ohio, in 2008, aiming to produce larger-scale animation projects and collaborate with local talent. He recently directed the animated short film One: The Animated Film, released in 2024, which explores an athlete’s transition from elite competition to life beyond sports and is screening in film festivals around the world. Richner’s diverse contributions to the animation industry highlight his dedication to both the creative and educational aspects of the field.

Pam Rodefer

Business

Pam began her career in Sales over 40 years ago and has worked in both Fortune 50 and Start Up organizations. For the last 24 years Pam has used her background in Sales Leadership, Sales Training and Development and Sales Coaching in her consulting business. She partnered with Braveheart Sales Performance 11 years ago where she trains and coaches Sales teams and leaders. Pam lives in Westerville with her two dogs, Henry and Major. She is a 10-year Pelotonia Rider and enjoys spending time riding, walking, reading and spending time with friends and family. She’s a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Daniel Schuerman

Finance

Daniel Schuerman is a financially disciplined, process driven, analytical problem-solving leader with experience in various industries including Manufacturing, Distribution, and Professional Services. Daniel has diverse experience as an executive leader who is energized by long term business strategy, M&A diligence, and integration, and impacting short term financial objectives including cash flow, budgets, and data analysis. Additional experience with IT strategy and projects including risk management, compliance, facility, and infrastructure improvements.

Karen Simonian

Business

Karen Simonian is an experienced writer, editor, and nonprofit fundraiser. Karen worked for the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University for 25 years, focused variously on grant writing, stakeholder communications, media relations, and strategic messaging. As co-interim head of advancement in 2024, she oversaw major philanthropic initiatives; directed and implemented the grants program; and co-led a fundraising team. Over the years, she secured major funding for the Wex’s nonprofit affiliate (Wexner Center Foundation) from such entities as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and significantly expanded and diversified the center’s funding sources. She also directed the center’s media relations efforts, procuring coverage in such outlets as the New York Times, the New Yorker, Vogue, and Artforum, and on CBS News Sunday Morning, PBS News Hour, and NPR. Prior to joining the Wex, Simonian was an award-winning writer and arts editor for Columbus newsweekly The Other Paper, and wrote for Columbus Monthly magazine and other outlets. Simonian has served on grants, PR, and marketing panels and committees over the years, and currently serves on the Columbus Metropolitan Club Program Committee. She has been a board member of Dine Originals Columbus, co-chair of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, and a fellow of the Next Generation of Leaders program at the Jefferson Center’s Academy for Leadership & Governance. She holds a B.A. in English/journalism from Miami University, and attended the university’s campus in Luxembourg.

Rebekah Skovron

MarComm

Rebekah Skovron is a Senior Project Manager in Business Development at Get Engaged Media, where she builds 360° social campaigns that connect cultural insight with conversion to turn audience attention into measurable growth. Her work spans social, influencer, and paid media programs that have secured $8M+ in new revenue and driven triple‑digit ROI across sectors ranging from fashion and hospitality to humanitarian causes. Across every role, Rebekah has been motivated by taking ambitious ideas from rough concept to campaigns people actually see, share, and remember.

Cassie Tucker

MarComm

Cassie Tucker is an independent marketing strategy consultant who helps her clients refine their messaging and communicate their value to potential customers across digital channels. The goal of her work with her clients is to drive meaningful connections, build community, and fuel sales growth. In the corporate world, she worked for NYC social media agency Socialfly where she collaborated with brands like NEST Fragrances and IL MAKIAGE. As an entrepreneur, she combines her work in marketing and experience as a former Disney Cast Member to make magic for her clients.  Through her work as the co-host of Marketing Happy Hour, she is committed to empowering and encouraging young professionals on their career journeys. In her free time, Cassie enjoys visiting the Orlando theme parks, thrifting, and practicing her photography.

Tanya Zyabkina

Analytics

Tanya Zyabkina is a data analytics expert with over 15 years of experience in Marketing and Consumer Analytics. She works as a Marketing Performance Analytics Director at The Ohio State University. and her prior experience includes consulting and building the analytics function for Fortune 500 companies in the retail and telecom industries. Tanya’s areas of expertise cover various analytics applications, from data engineering to digital analytics to campaign effectiveness measurement. She holds an MBA from The Ohio State University and completed graduate coursework in Data Science and Econometrics.